Mark and Jane Jost of Henderson, Nebraska work with Water Street Solutions in several different areas of their farm operation. They talked about their goals for their farm's legacy and how Water Street is helping:

"We started working with Water Street mainly because we have kids coming in to the operation - a son and son-in-law. We don't want them to have to make some of the same mistakes we went through in the last 30 years. We were looking for someone to be more involved in various facets of our operation in the way that Water Street does.

We see the importance in everything Water Street does and how to apply it on our farm. We're thinking about putting our farm's core values up in our shop office. We are really impressed with the emphasis Water Street places on communication on the farm. With three family members on our farm - and two of them being from the younger generation - there needs to be a lot of communication about what's going on."

Joe and Nathalie Schmidt from Ottawa, Illinois work with Water Street Solutions.  They talked about how working with the company is helping them build their farm's legacy:

"Prior to working with Water Street, we had an insurance agent, no financial analysis other than tax preparation, and no marketing.  Things weren't working to their fullest potential.  We started to realize that we really needed to do this a different way.

We believe Water Street is the right fit for us. It's one of the best things that we've done for our business. This has been a family farm for over a century. Employing the tools that Water Street has is important for us to know that we're doing something proactive for the future of this land that's been entrusted to us."

Chris and Margie Hayes from Osceola, Nebraska work with Water Street Solutions in several different areas of their farming operation. They visited the Peoria office and made these comments about their experiences:

"Water Street wants to get to know you and your operation before they start helping you with decisions. I like their values. You can tell they really care about their clients. I think their clients come first - moreso than some of the other services I've dealt with in the past. Here, they have a deep concern for your well-being. And not just in one segment - they cover all avenues: legacy planning, insurance, financials, and, of course, the market advising."

Travis Michl from Newton, Illinois works with Water Street Solutions. He talked about how working with a market advisor lets him focus his attention on other areas of his farm business:

"I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of me. I have somebody watching my back, all day. That's what Water Street does on the marketing. On our farm, we have a team around us - and our market advisor is a very integral part of that because he watches the markets for us. There's too much involved in farming right now for us to manage everything by ourselves and do an optimal job. Our market advisor leads our marketing so I don't have to worry about that side of things. I know he's got it covered."

Wally and Jeannie Linneweber of Vincennes, Indiana work with Water Street Solutions. They visited the Peoria office and talked about what they have experienced:

"Working with an ag finance specialist and market advisor has made us more confident and gives us another set of eyes with different opinions. We've been introduced to a world of knowledge and the most passionate group of people all in one place that we've ever seen. Water Street is very sincere about helping a single group of people - farmers."

Chris and Margie Hayes of Osceola, Nebraska discuss how they feel working with a Water Street legacy advisor will help create a smooth farm transition for their operation:

"Our legacy advisor was out on our farm about three or four times to talk with us before we ever signed up. He asked questions about our family, drew diagrams, and put everything together. He got a feel for how we think. We feel happy about starting a legacy plan and feel Water Street will put it all together better - rather than fragmented, like it would be if we were doing it on our own. It will be a better experience and everybody's still going to be in peace and harmony when it's all done."

In addition to buying the right crop insurance this year, some farmers selected additional protection with a product called Total Weather Insurance.  This video is with our client, Rodney Creech on his experience with the product. 

Bill Michl from Newton, IL has worked with Water Street Solutions for several years and has these comments about his experience:

"Working with Water Street Solutions helps me immensely.  It takes a lot of the worry away and saves a lot of my time that would otherwise have to be devoted to marketing.  I'd say on average it saves me about an hour a day."

"I joined Water Street Solutions to be able to take advantage of these market swings.  They weren't as great or severe back when I started here as they are now - but that was the reason - to be able to capture some gains on these big market movements."

Bill works with Senior Market Advisor Brad Matthews and has this to say about their relationship:

"Trust is very important.  Brad has made some real good decisions on my behalf that I personally wouldn't have made, because I wouldn't have had the confidence to make them."

Nathan Kramer from Stapleton, Nebraska is just transitioning into farming.  His family has partnered with Water Street Solutions for about four years now.  Nathan has these comments about the relationship:

"They've not only helped me with the marketing but also showed me what they were doing and kind of transitioned me into the operation.  They told me what they were doing and also explained it and showed me a lot of the financial side of how things were impacting my operation.  I think it will make my transition smoother.  They've been a great asset and a great teacher for me."

"The relationship I have with my Water Street Market Advisor is great.  I talk to Sam about other things besides just marketing.  He takes an interest in what's going on with the farm and what's going on just in life and he really cares.  He knows my operation very well, maybe better than I do sometimes.  We talk once or twice a week.  He calls me up and tells me what he's done and it's not a big deal because I always know that he's got my best interest in mind.  A lot of the things that I would do if I was on my own wouldn't be the best thing.  It takes my emotions out of it by having Sam do the marketing.  He's not trying to push me away by any means.  It's how I'd prefer it be set up because my emotion gets in the way  and I get either too aggressive or too timid on the marketing.  He's looking at the numbers and seeing the charts and making a more unbiased decision than I can. 

Water Street's got something to offer for anyone that would accept the help.  They do a fabulous job.  It's a real personalized marketing plan.  They get to know your comfort level on the markets and really want to know your operation and always take your input into consideration on everything too."